So Send I You

BIBLE REFERENCE:

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?
Then said I, Here am I; send me. Isaiah 6:8

Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me,
even so send I you. John 20:21

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Mark 16:15

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! Romans 10:14-15

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. Jeremiah 1:7-9

E. Margaret Clarkson - Lyrics
1915-

Born: June 8, 1915, Melville, Saskatchewan, Canada.

John Willard Peterson - Composer
1921-2006

Born: November 1, 1921, Lindsborg, Kansas.
Died: September 20, 2006.

HYMN HISTORY:

The text of “So Send I You,” sometimes called “the finest missionary hymn of the twentieth century,” was written by a young Canadian, then just twenty-two. Born in Saskatchewan, Margaret Clarkson grew up from age five in Toronto, graduating as a teacher in 1935. Jobs were so scarce that she had to spend seven years in the far north of Ontario, first in a lumber camp, then in a gold-mining area, before returning to teach her remaining 31 years in Toronto, retiring in 1973.

For over 50 years she has been known for her poems and articles in Christian periodicals, for her many hymns, and for her books. Of the writing of this text Miss Clarkson has written:

In the north I experienced deep loneliness of every kind — mental, cultural and particularly, spiritual — I found no Bible-teaching church fellowship, and only one or two isolated Christians, in those years.

Studying the Word one night and thinking of the loneliness of my situation, I came to John 20, and the words “So Send I you.” Because of a physical disability I could never go to the mission field, and this was where He has sent me. I had written verse all my life, so it was natural for me to express my thoughts in a poem.

Some years later I realized that the poem was really very one-sided; it told only of the sorrows and privations of the missionary call and none of its triumphs. I wrote another song in the same rhythm so that verses could be used interchangeably, setting forth the glory and the hope of the missionary calling. This was first published in 1963. It is interesting that many of the new hymnals are now dropping my first version in favor of my second one. I rejoice at this, for above all I wish to be a biblical writer, and the second hymn is the more biblical one.

The music for “So Send I You” was composed especially for margaret Clarkson’s hymn by John W. Peterson, often called the dean of contemporary gospel song writers. The impact and contributions to church music known to most evangelical Christians. He has composed more than 1200 gospel song, hymns and choruses as well as supplying church choirs with more than twenty cantatas and musicals, which have thrilled and inspired Peterson also co-authored the hymn, “Surely Goodness and Mercy.”

John W. Peterson was born in Lindsborg, Kansas on November 1, 1921, and spent his early days in Salina, Kansas. In 1939 he began a radio evangelistic work with two brothers and at that time began writing his first gospel songs. In 1942 Mr. Peterson entered military service and served as a pilot in the Chinese-Burma theater. Commenting about this period of his life, he says, “I had many precious spiritual experiences during those days, and many of my songs now in print had heir beginnings somewhere in India or Burma or high above the Himalayan Mountains.”

In his book The Miracle Goes On, Mr Peterson often mentions his conviction about the power of a gospel song to change a person’s life. He cites the following example:

"So Send I You" was used by God in the life of an actress who had come to know Christ and who faced a agonizing decision: Should she maintain her professional contracts or give up her career and dedicate her life completely to the Lord for service, wherever He might lead? In the midst of her dilemma she sat listening to a recording of this song, and its challenge came through with stunning impact. The actress fell to her knees and made a total commitment of her life to God, and in due time He resolved the question of her vocation.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. Matthew 10:16

Our Lord warned his disciples to prepare for persecution. They were to avoid all things that would entangle them to the world's system and compromise the gospel. All meddling with worldly or political concerns, all appearance of evil or selfishness, and all underhand wheeling and dealings were strictly to be avoided because these would detour them from their true calling.

But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. Titus 3:9

Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Christ foretold of the troubles they would face, not only that their troubles might not be a surprise, but that they might confirm their faith. He tells them what they should suffer, and from whom.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Thus Christ  is faithful to us, in telling us what tribulation we must suffer; and how we should prepare ourselves spiritually. We must seek Him through prayer and the reading of the word of God.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Persecutors are worse than wolves, in that they prey upon those of their own kind. The strong bonds of love between family members, have often been broken because one member becomes truly converted and chooses to follow the teaching of Jesus Christ. Sufferings from friends and family relationships are very grievous and nothing cuts more.

For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. Matthew 10:35-36

It appears plainly, that all who will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution; and we must expect to enter into the kingdom of God through many tribulations. Along with these predictions of trouble, are counsels and comforts for a time of trial.

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22

A disciple of Christ is often hated and persecuted, and Satan is bent on their destruction. We need to act with wisdom but be ye harmless as doves. Not only are we not do nobody any hurt, but we are not to bear nobody any ill-will.

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; Matthew 5:44

A disciple of Christ must think more on how to do well, than how to speak well. In case of great peril, the disciples of Christ may go out of the way of danger, though they must not go out of the way of duty.

But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. Matthew 10:23

The fear of man brings a snare, a perplexing snare, that disturbs our peace; an entangling snare, by which we are drawn into sin; and, therefore, we must put our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe. Proverbs 29:25

Tribulation, distress, and persecution cannot take away God's love to us, or ours to him. Fear him only, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28

We must deliver our message publicly, for all are in need of hearing the gospel. The whole counsel of God must be preached and made known,.

For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Acts 20:27

Christ shows us why we should be of good cheer. Our sufferings witnesses against those who oppose his gospel. When God calls us to speak for him, we can depend on him to teach us what to say.

The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. Isaiah 50:4

But the LORD said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak. Be not afraid of their faces: for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the LORD. Then the LORD put forth his hand, and touched my mouth. And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth. Jeremiah 1:7-9

The Lord will give us strength needed according to that day and circumstances. And it is great encouragement to those who are doing Christ's work, that it is a work which shall certainly be done.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

The care of God extends to all creatures, even to the sparrows. This should silence all the fears of God's people; Ye are of more value than many sparrows. And the very hairs of your head are all numbered. This denotes the extent that God care of his people.

But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7

It is our duty, not only to believe in Christ, but to profess that faith, in suffering for him, when we are called to it, as well as in serving him. Those are best prepared for the life to come, that have no ties to this present life.

Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

We encourage you today to profess your faith boldly and be a witness of the power of a transformed life in the service of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.